Hats, Hats, Everywhere…Even in our Speech!

Womens Hats have somehow made it into our everyday language!

Hats have been around for ages and have touched all segments of society. The popularity of hats have led to an amazing amount of expressions that include the word hat. To demonstrate we’ve put together a compostion centered around the word hat.Have you ever heard of edible hats?! Well if you have, “I’ll eat my hat”. Actually, I think I can think of some “at the drop of a hat”. How about the Hamantaschen? If you haven’t yet tasted this triangular filled cookie – you’ve been missing out. It’s a delicious cookie or pastry filled with any filling of your choice. The most typical ones are the chocolate or jelly, yet there are plenty more flavors that people have enjoyed tasting. This cookie is in the shape of a hat in remembrance to Haman’s hat. Now, I’m sure I can come up with another one or two but “I’ll keep those under my hat” and see what you can come up with! Gosh, I’m totally “talking through my hat”, I can’t think of any other edible hat although I could probably use my imagination and make some up if I had too. However, I’ll start to “pass the hat around” and collect some of your ideas; a penny for your thoughts! Now, don’t “throw your hat” at it just yet, give it a try and find the originality that lies within you! Alright, it doesn’t have to be the most brilliant idea or invention; it can be an “old hat” if that’s the only thing you can come up with. So, if your one of those that will give it a try “Hats off to you!!!”

It’s amazing how the word “HAT” made it into our vocabulary even when we’re talking nothing about a hat, head or even body! The only reason I can come up with is because hats are so comfortable to wear that we feel so comfortable just saying it whenever, however and to whoever! Plus there is a hat for every occasion, just think of womens hats, fedoras, caps, chaponnes and more. Obviously that is not the reason but I’m sure there’s a reason I just don’t know! Alright, you’re probably just edging to know what all those sayings on the first paragraph mean, so let me get to the point.

- I’ll eat my hat : I will be greatly surprised if (something that proves me wrong) happens

- At the drop of a hat : without hesitation or delay

- Keep (something) under one’s hat : to keep (something) a secret

- Talk through one’s hat : a. to talk foolishly b. to deceive, bluff or lie

- Pass the hat round : to collect something (usually money)

- Throw one’s hat : to give up

- Old hat : something stale, lame or old-fashioned

- Take off one’s hat : to admire or congratulate

- My hat: a. my word b. nonsense

- Out of a hat: a. by magic b. at random

Head Scarves and Spring Cleaning!

The month of March brings back memories of 3rd grade when my teacher taught us “March comes in like a Lion and leaves like a Lamb.” I find warmth in the cold beginnings of March knowing that spring is just around the corner. And once spring arrives, all I want to do is just get out of the house and revel in the delicious spring weather. But there’s work for me at home, too. Being cooped up all winter has taken its toll on the house. The window need to be washed, the curtains and comforters aired and the dust attacked. Time to roll up my sleeves, turn on the music, get out the cleansers and scrub!

So first thing I’ll do is tie up my hair and reach for my favorite head covering. I hate the feeling of sticky hair on my neck, and trust me, we’re gonna be workin up a sweat. My favorite head covering is a pre-tied bandana headscarf made of cotton fabric. It is stretchy, breathable, keeps the hair away from my neck and is a fabulous floral print – just what I feel like wearing in this spring cleaning season!

I like to clean with natural ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar. Lemon juice I definitely want to keep outta my hair – I’m just fine with the color, thank you… And vinegar – I don’t even want to think about what would happen if that got in my hair! Plus, when I’m dusting where do you think most of the dust ends up? On me…Thank you pre-tied bandana!

Like I mentioned earlier, I do work up a sweat cleaning away on those beautiful first days of spring so I have other replacement head covers to change into when the need arises. There is my comfy cotton beret, cotton paisley headscarves and other assorted hats and caps I’ve picked up over the years. So this spring when you reach for the cleansers, take my advice and reach for a head scarf as well!

Hats in the Workplace: The Toque (Part I)

The Toque - the Hat of the Chef

When you picture certain people you automatically dress them in a certain outfit or a specific uniform. Often you associate a Hat or Head Covering with the person as well. Here’s one – cook – what did you think of? Probably his/her tall white chefs hat was one of the first associations you had, no?

So, the big question is how did the chef hat, a tall white hat known as a toque come to be?

Well of course everything has a history. Yes, even a chef hat.

Word has it that even before the 7^th century chefs wore chef hats in order to make them look different than any other people working in the kitchen. Why? Because in those days lots of chefs used to try to poison the king and kill him. The king thought that if he made their job into a more prestigious job by giving them a hat that made them look different and sophisticated they might feel a little more highly of themselves and would never even consider doing such a lowly act.

Another reason which may have brought about the chef hat was that the man who cooked for King Henry VIII started having hair loss and his hair used to fall into the food being prepared for the king. The king therefore had him killed and declared that the next person to work in the kitchen should wear a hat.

Later, in the 1800’s a chef from France by the name of Marie- Antoine decided that a chef was really a prestigious job and decided to make the hat look a little more fashionable and elite looking. Also, at this time they were becoming more aware of cleanliness and basic hygiene so it was decreed that all chefs should wear hats to prevent sweat and hair from going into the food being prepared. He chose the color white since white is a clean color and displayed cleanliness and so is food in the kitchen (at least we hope). Now of course, there were different ranks and levels of people working in the kitchen. So they started making many hats in with different heights; the higher it was, the more prestigious the job.

Did you know that:

1.       The chef hat has 100 folds in order to symbolize the 100 ways to cook an egg.

2.       Marie- Antoine’s hat was 18” high (because he was the best chef) and had to be held up with cart board.

To this day, employees in kitchens wear head covers, hair nets or toques while involved it food preparation for hygenic reasons. I guess we should all thank Marie- Antoine or Henry VIII next time we are in a restaurant for that clear bowl of soup!!

Winter Whites and the New You!

 

Try some white headcoverings this winter

Surveys prove that the majority of people’s skin gets lighter in the winter from the cold. In the summer, when the sun’s out and shining it gives color to your face, but when winter rolls around and the sun’s nowhere in sight the color drains from your face giving you a paler complexion.
So the big question is: what color and style head coverings and/or hair accessories should you wear in the winter???
Well the answer’s simple. Wearing a dark colored head covering or hair accessories will just make your face paler than it is already because the contrast is drastic but wearing something more light or white would do the trick because since it is light it will makes your face look darker than it is. The truth is that white is a great color no matter what your skin tone or complexion is.
The color white is very in style this winter. White is simple yet so elegant and classy- it gives that warm and cozy look like fresh white snow. Imagine…just drinking that delicious hot chocolate in the morning with your fresh white gloves, scarf and beret- there’s just nothing like it! Just the color can make you feel warm!
There are many different shades of white- from off white to ivory, the icy solid winter white or light beige- you gotta see which one suits you best!
If your one of those that always said “white is just not me” – you just have to try it and see what your missing out on!
However, if your still unsure if you like it or not after you’ve tried it on, it’s best to stick to the light colors, like a light pastel pink, green, lavender or blue. Light grey also does very well in the winter. Of course, you could always get a mix of white and another light color. For example: a white and light grey striped Israeli tichel or an off white and light brown head wrap. You can do the same for woman’s hats, a pre-tied bandana, a headband or a beret.
Trust me, once you get hooked on to white it’ll become the new you!

Importance of Women’s Hats for Winter

Winter Hats and Chaponnes on MyHeadcoverings

Women’s hats come in so many different styles that choosing the kind that best suits your needs for the wintery weather may be a difficult task. There are some tricks to choosing that will keep you feeling warm and looking stylish during these cold months.

There are many fashionable, warm hats from which to choose. The first step in selecting the appropriate hat is to assess your area’s winter climate. Different regions require different headgear; women in the northeast US wear different hats than women in the northwest US. Your hairstyle also influences the type of hat you choose: will the hat cover short hair or will it need to accommodate different hairstyles?

When choosing a winter hat, it is important to also remember that the best winter hats cover your ears. If you have long hair, it may help protect your ears, but a hat that covers your ears will keep them even warmer and better insulated. Hats with ear flaps provide you with the option of leaving your ears covered or uncovered, which is a great option if the local winter temperature tends to fluctuate between freezing and cold. If you wear a hat that does not cover your ears, cover your ear by wrapping a head scarf around your head and then put on your hat.  

The right hat will protect your head without hampering your hairstyle or fashion sense.